Ky. trooper wounded, suspect dead in shootout

The shootout occurred while police were executing a search warrant regarding suspicious drug activity at a residence

Mike Stunson
Lexington Herald-Leader

HAZARD, Ky. — A Kentucky State Police trooper was injured following a shootout that left a suspect dead, according to state police.

The shooting occurred around 9:30 p.m. Monday off Hull School Road in the Bonnyman community of Perry County, where state police and the Perry County Sheriff’s Office were executing a search warrant regarding suspicious drug activity, said state police trooper Jody Sims.

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When police cruisers and sheriff vehicles arrived at the home, they saw several people “acting suspiciously” go inside a residence across the street, Sims said.

Troopers heard what sounded like gunfire coming from the residence the people had run into, and according to a news release, three of the five people who had gone inside came out and were detained after a brief negotiation.

“After an extended period of time, the two remaining individuals ran outside and were confronted by troopers and a deputy,” the release stated.

One of the people was armed with a gun and was told to drop it. When the man did not comply, a brief exchange of gunfire ensued, according to Sims.

One trooper was struck in the leg by a bullet and was taken to Hazard ARH Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, Sims said. He was released Tuesday.

The man with the gun died the scene, according to the Perry County coroner’s office. An autopsy was to be conducted by the state medical examiner.

According to state police, the man who died was the only suspect firing a weapon. It’s not clear if any of the other people were charged.

The names of the victim and trooper have not been released. The injured trooper was a member of the state police’s drug interdiction team.

It’s not clear if the two residences were connected in any way, Sims said.

Kentucky State Police’s critical response team is leading the investigation.